The NFL Practice Jersey Debate – Fans Win with Ads On Jerseys

June 5, 2009

Rather than give a knee-jerk reaction to more ads infecting our brain space, let’s consider, for a moment, what good can come from the NFL allowing advertising space on their practice jerseys, and, if they’re smart, eventually their game jerseys. The most important and valuable outcome is the obvious one, more revenue for organizations. Now, as fans, we must be careful to fight off cynicism here and realize there are some fringe benefits for us.

First, there is a legitimate argument to be made that the proceeds can be used to keep ticket prices from fluctuating (stay back, cynicism!). The additional revenue generated from selling this ad space could be substantial, and the need to raise beer prices another dollar, or ticket prices another five dollars, isn’t as pressing (is it ever?).

It’s not like this is a new, scary idea, either. The most established, visible sports league in the world is the English Premier Football League (or, “soccer” to us Yanks). For decades they’ve sold the real estate on the team’s jerseys to advertisers, and the world didn’t end. Not only that, this ad space goes for a premium, with Manchester United charging $27.1 million bucks to AIG for the 2008-2009 sponsorship for their jersey (uh, hope the bailout money wasn’t used for that). In the US, the Arena Football League (prior to their unfortunate and temporary (?) demise) charged money to advertisers to place a company logo on the jersey. Making money on ad patches for practice and game jerseys is not bad, evil, or even scary. It’s good business. Plus, they do this in Little League — how bad can it be?

I do not mean to imply that, as a society, we should completely forgo any sense of decency and slap advertising on everything (like skin… yikes). Boxers have been placing ads on their naked backs during fight (some stenciled… some actually tattooed). I feel this stretches the limits of common sense and decency, opening the door to an argument that everything is for sale in our culture.

I feel to resist this move by the NFL is futile, and there is plenty of potential ways for fans to gain, and this circumstance isn’t really different than selling the naming rights to a stadium. But, it’s important not to let organizations go unchecked. Placing some limitations on what is for sale and what isn’t is smart, so we don’t start hearing commentators announce that great catch by “Chad Corn Flakes” (formerly known as “Ocho Cinco”).

(Site note: Debate links: Intro, Loyal Homer, Bleacher Fan, Sports Geek).

11 Comments | The NFL Practice Jersey Debate | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sports Geek

The NFL Practice Jersey Debate – This Post Brought To You By Carl’s Jr.

June 5, 2009

I think it’s funny that this is even news…

Do I have a problem with the fact that the NFL is allowing teams to place patches containing sponsors on their practice jerseys? Absolutely not! Nobody is going to see these patches except for the few hundred people who actually go watch training camp anyway.

The beauty of a capitalist society like America is that organizations have the right to do whatever they want in order to make money, as long as it doesn’t infringe upon the rights of anyone else. Who cares if the Packers or Texans want to have a “Brawndo: The Thirst Mutilator” patch on their sleeve while they do calisthenics in front of a crowd of boy scouts and fantasy football addicts? (MAN do I miss football!)

I visited the Cleveland Browns’ Training Camp many times, and there’s already sponsorship crap everywhere! From spinning the banking wheel to signing up for health insurance, the whole scene is littered with slogans and “Official Team Sponsor” verbiage. Why should a player’s jerseys be any different?

People visit Training Camp to get a pre-season look at the talent on their beloved teams. They get to enjoy some warm, summer air and resume their football conversations about which team has really made the move to contend, etc. Now, there’s just going to be a patch on a player’s practice jerseys to go with it.

I understand that the NFL is already a money-making machine that really doesn’t need to invent new ways to earn income, but is it hurting anyone?! What if this is how the Packers and Texans intend to offset the need to raise ticket prices? Would it really make a difference?!

I do think the NFL should keep this new advertising opportunity limited strictly to pre-season practice. I don’t need to see what appears to be two NASCAR pit crews rolling around on the gridiron on a cold November Sunday. I also don’t need to hear Eric Mangini as he hoists the Vince Lombardi Castrol GTX Motor Oil Trophy over his head (prediction?!), screaming “This one is for the fans, and for the good, hard working people at UPS, and for the Home Depot, and Valtrex, and Oops, I Crapped My Pants adult diapers!”

There is a lot of pride and history in the appearance of each team’s uniform and helmet. The logo means something, the colors mean something, the numbers mean something, and I don’t want to see a StayPuft Marshmallow Man logo slapped on the back of any helmets to take away from that tradition. Other than that, advertise away!

Why don’t we talk about the REAL problem of appearance at NFL training camps… guys like Romeo Crennel, Bill Parcells, and Wade Phillips running around in sweat-soaked tee-shirts and shorts that are a little too short for comfort. That’s just disgusting!!!

(Site note: Debate links: Intro, Loyal Homer, Bleacher Fan, Sports Geek).

Leave a Comment » | The NFL Practice Jersey Debate | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Bleacher Fan

The NFL Practice Jersey Debate – Do We Really Need Ads on Jerseys?

June 5, 2009

(Site note: Look to the bottom of this post to find links to the other opinions and intro to this debate).

I’m well aware of the times in which we live. Money is tight! Every penny counts. Plus, in many ways, we live in an ad-driven world. But, sometimes our culture takes things too far. The idea of selling ad space on NFL practice jerseys is totally ridiculous!

Do we really need this? Do we really need to see ads on the practice jerseys of our favorite players?

There are a couple of points I’ll make about why this is unnecessary.

First off, is this really beneficial to the company that buys a patch on a jersey? Who is really going to see this? This isn’t NASCAR. No. One difference between NASCAR and the NFL is that the advertisers in NASCAR get a lot of recognition, both by the commentators and by the drivers themselves. You always hear the drivers thank their sponsors when being interviewed after a race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will often thank the National Guard and AMP Energy for sponsoring him. In football, how much recognition are these companies really going to get by a placing a small little “patch” on the jerseys? Is New England Patriots QB Tom Brady really going to thank someone like Pepsi (for example) when being interviewed after PRACTICE? Is this a worthy investment for the company? My answer is an emphatic NO!

Second, wouldn’t these sponsored patches pose a conflict of interest for the players? All of the details of this idea haven’t been released yet by the NFL or the teams yet, but let’s use Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning as an example. Manning is arguably the face of the National Football League. He has an endorsement deal with Mastercard and Sprint, among others. What happens if American Express and Verizon Wireless decide to buy patches on jerseys for the Colts? That would be awkward for everyone. You see what I’m getting at here?

Some of these kinks probably need to be worked out, but on the surface, this seems like a horrendous idea!

(Site note: Debate links: Intro, Loyal Homer, Bleacher Fan, Sports Geek).

Leave a Comment » | The NFL Practice Jersey Debate | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Loyal Homer

The NFL Practice Jersey Debate – Should the NFL Approved Advertising on Jerseys?

June 5, 2009

(Site note: Look to the bottom of this post to find links to the other opinions and intro to this debate).
First off, I would like to thank all of you for continuing to check out our site. Sports Geek, Bleacher Fan, and I are very pleased with how things have gone in just our first 10 days of existence! We had another record number of visitors yesterday. We thank you all for checking us out each and every day and we hope you continue to do so. Tell your friends – and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Now… in the world of famed boxing public address announcer Michael Buffer… Lllllllllllllllet’s Get Ready to Rummmmmmmbbbbbbbllllllleeeee!!!!!!!

Welcome to another King of the Hill debate.

It was recently announced that the NFL has granted permission for each team to seek out sponsorship for its practice jerseys. To summarize, any team can sell advertising space on the practice jerseys of each individual player. The concept isn’t new to the sporting world, as it’s something soccer/futbol has done in the past. This story really hasn’t gotten a lot of attention yet, but we at The Sports Debates think this is a fascinating development and worthy of a debate. What do you guys think?

Bleacher Fan will argue that, potentially, this is a great move as it stands now; meaning teams are allowed to make a little extra cash by selling advertisements on the practice jerseys – but only the practice jerseys.

Loyal Homer will argue that the entire idea is ludicrous across the board and any type of advertising on any type of jersey is a slap in the face to history and tradition.

Sports Geek will argue that the concept is a revelation for US sports and is a sign of things to come. But, the NFL hasn’t gone far enough – space should be sold on game jerseys, too.

As usual when all sides are presented we’ll post the poll for everyone to vote. Vote for the argument that you think is the best, or what you believe. As always, we encourage feedback and want you to leave your personal comments.

Tell all your friends. Then tell them to tell their friends… and so on… and so on! Sports Geek has openly accused my mother of stuffing ballot boxes last week. I plead the fifth on that!!!! Maybe the wives of Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek will retaliate this week!!! All votes are counted (and there are no hanging chads!)!

(Site note: Debate links: Intro, Loyal Homer, Bleacher Fan, Sports Geek).

Leave a Comment » | The NFL Practice Jersey Debate | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Loyal Homer

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.